FLUID DRAINAGE AND DELIVERY DEVICE FOR WOUND TREATMENT

1 . A device for implantation at a treatment site in the body of a patient for the removal of fluid from the treatment site; the device comprising a conduit structure at least in part defining a fluid removal lumen, and a porous bioresorbable sheath surrounding a portion of the conduit structure;

wherein the conduit structure comprises a removable component configured for removal from the treatment site upon completion of treatment.

2 . A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to deliver a fluid to the treatment site, and wherein the conduit structure further defines a fluid supply lumen.

3 . A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein one end of the fluid supply lumen is in fluid communication with one end of the fluid removal lumen.

4 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a dual lumen port for connection with one or more external components, wherein a first lumen of the port is in fluid communication with the fluid removal lumen.

5 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bioresorbable sheath comprises a plurality of apertures positioned to enable fluid communication between the treatment site and the conduit structure, the apertures each having an area of about 1 mm 2 or less.

6 . A device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the apertures in the sheath each have an area of between about 0.2 mm 2 to about 0.8 mm 2 .

7 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheath comprises a top sheet that wraps over a top part of the conduit structure, and a bottom sheet that wraps over a bottom part of the conduit structure, wherein the top and bottom sheets are joined around the conduit structure along a side seam.

8 . A device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the top and bottom sheets are stitched together.

9 . A device as claimed in claim 7 or 8 , wherein the sheath forms one or more flange(s) or tab(s) extending beyond the side seam, for securing the device to tissue at the treatment site.

10 . A device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the flanges or tabs comprise two layers, and the layers are attached at or near an edge of the flange or tab.

11 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apertures in the sheath are provided on upper and lower surfaces of the device.

12 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheath comprises an end section proximal an inlet and outlet of the device, configured to prevent or minimise the ingress of wound debris into the conduit structure.

13 . A device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the end section of the sheath does not comprise through apertures.

14 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, an end of the sheath distal an inlet and outlet of the device is closed.

15 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein an end of the sheath distal an inlet and outlet of the device is open.

16 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheath comprises one or more layers of extracellular matrix (ECM) or polymeric material.

17 . A device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the ECM is formed from decellularised propria-submucosa of a ruminant forestomach.

18 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid supply lumen of the removable conduit structure comprises a non-porous wall along at least a major part of the length of the structure.

19 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid removal lumen of the removable conduit structure comprises a porous wall along a major part of the length of the structure.

20 . A device as claimed in claim 19 , comprising a truss defining at least a major portion of the fluid removal lumen of the removable conduit structure.

21 . A device as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the truss comprises two flexible elongate wall members wound such that they intersect each other periodically at a plurality of cross-over nodes.

22 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each elongate wall member is generally helical, and wherein the two wall members are oppositely wound.

23 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the truss forms a flexible tube having a round or oval cross-section.

24 . A device as claimed in claim 21 or 22 , comprising at least two flexible elongate bracing members, each bracing member being linked to the two elongate wall members at a plurality of the cross-over nodes.

25 . A device as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the bracing members extend generally longitudinally along a side of the channel.

26 . A device as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the bracing truss members are provided on opposite sides of the channel.

27 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 , wherein each bracing member is bonded to the two elongate wall members at the respective cross-over nodes.

28 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 27 , further comprising a securing truss member, wound to secure the truss of the fluid removal lumen to the fluid supply lumen.

29 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 , wherein the removable conduit structure comprises a silicone form.

30 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid removal lumen has a cross-sectional area of at least 7 mm 2 .

31 . A device as claimed in claim 30 , wherein the fluid removal lumen has a cross-sectional area of about 18 mm 2 .

32 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid removal lumen has an inlet end and an outlet end, and wherein the fluid supply lumen is configured to supply fluid to adjacent the inlet end of the fluid removal lumen.

33 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fluid supply lumen and the fluid removal lumen are generally the same length and positioned adjacent each other.

34 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 32 , wherein the fluid supply lumen and the fluid removal lumen are colinear.

35 . A device as claimed in claim 34 , wherein the device forms a loop.

36 . A device as claimed in claim 35 , wherein the loop comprises two limbs of the conduit structure with abutted ends.

37 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a port in fluid communication with the fluid removal and/or fluid supply lumens and being connectable to a source of negative pressure or positive pressure.

38 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the treatment site is a region between surfaces or planes of muscle tissue, connective tissue and/or or skin tissue that have been separated during surgery or as a result of trauma, or a region within a layer of tissue.

39 . A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheath comprises a sealing end section free from apertures and having a tight fit with the underlying portion of the conduit structure.

40 . A device as claimed in claim 39 , wherein the sealing end section of the sheath extends over a portion of the conduit structure that comprises fluid impervious walls.

41 . A device as claimed in claim 39 or 40 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the sheath and the underlying conduit structure is reduced along at least a portion of the sealing section.

42 . A device as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the sheath and the underlying conduit structure is tapered along at least a portion of the sealing section.

43 . A device for implantation at a treatment site in the body of a patient for the delivery of fluid to and/or removal of fluid from the treatment site; the device comprising:

a conduit structure defining a fluid supply and/or removal lumen; and

a bioresorbable sheath surrounding a portion of the removable conduit structure, and comprising a plurality of apertures sized and positioned to enable fluid communication between the treatment site and the conduit structure while preventing blockages in the device.

44 . A device as claimed in claim 43 , wherein the apertures in the sheath each have an area of between about 0.2 mm 2 to about 0.8 mm 2 .

45 . A device as claimed in claim 43 or 44 , wherein the sheath comprises a sealing end section free from apertures and having a tight fit with the underlying portion of the conduit structure.

46 . A device as claimed in claim 45 , wherein the sealing end section of the sheath extends over a portion of the conduit structure that comprises fluid impervious walls.

47 . A device as claimed in claim 45 or 46 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the sheath and the underlying conduit structure is reduced along at least a portion of the sealing section.

48 . A device as claimed in claim 47 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the sheath and the underlying conduit structure is tapered along at least a portion of the sealing section.

49 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 48 , comprising a port in fluid communication with the lumen(s) of the conduit structure.

50 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 49 , wherein the conduit structure comprises a removable component configured for removal from the treatment site upon completion of treatment.

51 . A device for implantation at a treatment site in the body of a patient for the delivery of fluid to and/or removal of fluid from the treatment site; the device comprising:

a conduit structure defining a fluid supply lumen and a porous fluid removal lumen, one end of the fluid supply lumen being in fluid communication with a first end of the fluid removal lumen;

a bioresorbable sheath surrounding a portion of the removable conduit structure; and

a port in fluid communication with the fluid supply lumen and/or the fluid removal lumen(s).

52 . A device as claimed in claim 51 , comprising a dual lumen port, with a first lumen of the port in fluid communication with the fluid supply lumen and a second lumen of the port in fluid communication with the fluid removal lumen.

53 . A device as claimed in claim 51 or 52 , wherein a portion of the conduit structure defining the fluid supply lumen is integrally formed with a portion of the conduit structure defining the fluid removal lumen.

54 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 51 to 53 , wherein the fluid supply lumen and fluid removal lumen are co-axial.

55 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 51 to 53 , wherein the fluid supply lumen and fluid removal lumen are substantially parallel.

56 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 51 to 55 , wherein the port is configured for connection with one or more external components.

57 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 51 to 52 , wherein the sheath comprises a multiplicity of apertures to facilitate fluid transfer across the sheath, each aperture having an area of between about 0.2 mm 2 to about 0.8 mm 2 .

58 . A device as claimed in claim 43 or 44 , wherein the sheath comprises a sealing end section free from apertures and having a tight fit with the underlying portion of the conduit structure.

59 . A device as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 49 , wherein the conduit structure comprises a removable component configured for removal from the treatment site upon completion of treatment.

60 . A system for draining fluid from a treatment site and delivering fluid to a treatment site in the body of a patient comprising:

(vi) a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 59 ;

(vii) a conduit releasably coupled to either a port of the device or to a fluid impermeable dressing;

(viii) a reservoir located external to the body of the patient and containing a treatment fluid, the reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid supply lumen;

(ix) a second reservoir located external to the body of the patient, the second reservoir in fluid communication with fluid removal lumen for receiving fluid from the device; and

(x) a source of pressure coupled to the conduit for delivering positive pressure or negative pressure to the device.

61 . A system as claimed in claim 60 , wherein the source of pressure is capable of delivering negative pressure to the device so that fluid is drained from the treatment site into the device and transferred through the conduit to the reservoir.

62 . A system as claimed in claim 60 , wherein the port of the device is positioned external to the patient's body.

63 . A kit of parts for forming the device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 59 , comprising a conduit structure defining a fluid removal lumen, and a bioresorbable sheath defining a passage for receipt of the conduit structure.

64 . A kit of parts as claimed in claim 63 , wherein the bioresorbable sheath is generally tubular having two open ends.